Country Coordinator Ukraine

Helvetas is an organisation specialized in development cooperation and humanitarian response, anchored in Switzerland. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.

Helvetas has been responding to the crisis in Ukraine by supporting the work of our international partners of Alliance2015. Since June, we are in the process of building up a comprehensive response with a local partner organisation in Western & Central Ukraine. The multi-sectorial program will have an initial focus on WASH & Shelter, to be complemented with other sectoral components such as MPCA and/or FSL. In Moldova, Helvetas responds to the displacement crisis through a cash-based assistance program and set up a regional office.

For leading the development of this response in Ukraine, we are looking ASAP for an experienced and agile humanitarian professional as Country Coordinator Ukraine.

The Country Coordinator Ukraine is responsible for establishing Helvetas’ operational presence and humanitarian response in Ukraine. Reporting to the Humanitarian Response Coordinator at Head Office, he/she will further develop, support, and monitor Helvetas’ partner implemented pilot program. He/she will lead the opening of an office (location yet to be defined) and will be responsible for establishing effective coordination with other humanitarian actors, including local partners, authorities, and NGOs.

The position will be on a roving basis with frequent and extended stays in Western Ukraine and Kiev Oblasts, and potentially visits to areas in the Centre-North in future.

Qualified Ukrainian candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!

YOUR MAIN TASKS

Programme Development & Management

• Explore & get an overview of the humanitarian context, priority needs and relevant actors
• Further develop the overall humanitarian response strategy, in collaboration with HO
• In collaboration with local partners, develop response options and modalities and translate them into project documents and budgets.
• Monitor the implementation of the ongoing humanitarian program, incl through on-site visits
• Develop M&E framework, incl. accountability mechanism, and ensure timely reporting to HO and donors

Operational Presence

• Identify suitable office space/accommodation and required equipment.
• Initiate and follow-up on legal registration of the organization
• Evaluate staffing needs and initiate recruitment & onboarding of (limited) local staff
• Ensure security management for the overall response

Coordination & Representation

• Ensure effective coordination with relevant actors including local partners, Alliance2015 partners, local authorities, other NGOs
• Ensure representation in relevant fora such as cluster meetings, NGO network meetings, and security related meetings.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 6 years of relevant experience in planning & managing humanitarian assistance for an international NGO and/or IO in senior management positions.
• Experience in opening missions for INGOs in new contexts desired.
• Sectorial experience in CVA, FSL, Shelter, and/or WASH
• Experience working with local partner organizations, including joint planning & capacity assessment.
• Experience working in volatile contexts and of security management in such contexts.
• Very strong representation, interpersonal and negotiation skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; knowledge of Ukrainian/Russian is a very strong asset
• Able to work independently with limited support while being a strong team player

OUR OFFER

A contract for the duration of 6 months, extendable. Attractive working conditions and integration in a dynamic environment. Please note that this is a non-family posting.